Internal Combustion Engine Ignition Device Using Laser Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spark ignition systems in internal combustion engines result in incomplete fuel combustion as the spark ignites fuel at a discrete point, leading to wasted energy and reduced efficiency, as the piston moves away from its most power-producing position during the combustion stroke.
Innovation Solution
The use of an ignition device that ionizes the air or fuel mixture within the combustion chamber to create a conductive path for an elongated spark, allowing combustion to start across a larger area of the chamber, rather than at a discrete spark location, using a laser source to ionize the gases and facilitate a spark that can extend across the full width of the combustion chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional spark plug with small gap (0.02-0.07 inch) is used, then a high voltage spark can be generated, but the combustion starts at a discrete location and fuel is not completely burned while the piston is at TDC
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-source ignition (conventional spark plug) to distributed ignition by placing multiple spark plugs at different locations within the combustion chamber. This spatial distribution allows combustion to occur across multiple zones simultaneously, ensuring complete fuel burn before the piston moves away from TDC position.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion chamber is divided into multiple ignition zones, each served by a separate spark plug. This segmentation of the ignition function allows different regions of the fuel-air mixture to be ignited independently and simultaneously, improving overall combustion completeness and efficiency.
2Productivity
If the spark plug gap is increased to improve combustion, then higher voltage is required, but the spark may not reliably jump the gap and combustion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the gap of a single spark plug, the patent divides the ignition function across multiple spark plugs with smaller, more reliable gaps. Each spark plug reliably generates sparks at its optimized small gap, and the combined effect of multiple reliable sparks achieves the desired rapid combustion across the entire chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spark plugs are combined within the same combustion chamber to achieve distributed ignition. The individual reliable sparks from each plug merge to create comprehensive combustion coverage, achieving both reliability (through small gaps) and productivity (through simultaneous multi-point ignition).
3Productivity
If multiple carburetors and larger ports are used to improve volumetric efficiency, then engine power increases, but thermal efficiency remains largely unchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses thermal efficiency (a different dimension from volumetric efficiency) by changing the ignition spatial distribution. While volumetric efficiency improvements through larger ports and carburetors affect air-fuel intake, the multi-point ignition system optimizes the combustion process dimension, ensuring complete and efficient fuel burn across the entire combustion chamber volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple spark plugs create preliminary ignition zones distributed throughout the combustion chamber before the piston begins its power stroke. This preliminary distributed ignition ensures that combustion is already well-established and propagating efficiently as the piston moves, maximizing energy extraction from the fuel.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances power and efficiency by ensuring more fuel is burned at the piston's most power-producing position, improving thermal efficiency and reducing exhaust emissions without increasing engine volumetric characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
ionizes the air or fuel mixture within the combustion chamber to create a conductive path
Implementation Method 2
The small spark generated by the spark plug in the gap between the spark plug electrodes ignites the fuel/air mixture, which starts to burn
Implementation Method 3
The ignition of the fuel/air mixture does not explode, but rather burns rapidly
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine ignition device is provided for increasing the thermal efficiency of an internal combustion engine by increasing the spark length within the combustion chamber, wherein the spark can extend the width of the combustion chamber. The ignition device includes an ignition device housing to which a laser source is coupled. The laser source generates a laser beam capable of ionizing a fuel and/or an oxygen-containing gas used for combustion of the fuel in a combustion chamber. An electrical spark generator having a cathode electrode is coupled to the ignition device housing. The spark generator is configured for generating an electrical spark that emanates from the cathode within the combustion chamber and extends through the ionized fuel and/or ionized oxygen-containing gas, which may extend through the expanse of the combustion chamber, to a ground electrode within the combustion chamber to provide a more efficient and rapid fuel combustion within the combustion chamber.